Voting machine housing



y 1964 H. H. BRIGHT ETAL 3,133,699

VOTING MACHINE HOUSING Filed June 28, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 MARSHALL P! RAGAPJ AJD Y EDWARD dflzzossLArJo 'YflMowIohhW, QdMmMuM-A W 41 AT-romlvls y 1954 H. H. BRIGHT ETAL 3,133,699

VOTING MACHINE HOUSING Filed June 28, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 g INVENTORS l-wCil-l H. BlZlGl-IT, BY MARSHALL F? RAG/N Ado F} EDWARD J. CrzossLAdo 'Yflmow, zowmm, Qoziwauwwmlw'aw Y Arromle s y 1954 H. H. BRIGHT ETAL 3,133,699

vcmnc MACHINE HOUSING Filed June 28, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 55 r V 5614 P? 964 (W 62 52 a WWI 67 es\ 55 75 73 INVENTORS b Hu -l r-LpzlaH-r,

MArzsHALLP. RAqArJ Ado 72 BY Evwmzo JCROSSLAIJD Arrozdsis United States Patent 3,133,699 VQTHNG MACHENE HOUSENG Hugh H. Bright, Marshall P. Regan, and Edward J. Crossland, Tulsa, Ul-zla, assignors to Seismograph Service Corporation, Tulsa, Okla, a corporation of Delaware Filed done 28, well, Ser. No. 124L249 2t} (Slairns. (Cl. 235-51) The present invention'relates generallyto a new and improved housing for voting machines and isparticularly concerned with a housing employing a plurality of interlocked panels and doorsuniquely constructed to prevent tampering by the voter but to permit access by election officials to those portions of the machine necessary to conduct the election while, at the same time, preventing these ofiicials from gaining access to other portions of the machine.

The housing of the presentinvention is especially well I A classification since this information is used to render the machine effective to record votes only on issues upon which the voter is qualified to vote. The remote unit is electrically connected to the voting machine by means of a cable terminating in a plug mating with a socket on the machine. The socket is contained within a power com- I partment in the machine and this compartment may be closed or sealed by means of a power panel door and its associated lock, but the precinct official must have a key for this look in all elections where the voters classification is important. The counter panel containing all of the counters must remain locked throughout the course of the election in order to prevent anyone from gaining information concerning the vote tally before the polls have I closed. At the completion of the election, however, the precinct olficials must be able to'reach the counter panel in order to record the vote for transmission to a central tabulating or counting station.

It is also desirable that the voting machine housing be so constructed that ready access to the working'parts may be gained to facilitate maintenance and repair and/or to permit programming of the machine for the election. However, it is important that these working parts remain inaccessible'to the precinct ofiicials. or to other persons in order to avoid the possibility of tampering with the machine to influence improperly the outcome of the election.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a voting machine housing satisfying all of these requirements.

A further objectof the invention is to provide a com-.

pact, light weight, relatively inexpensive housing for a voting machine. I p

Another object of the invention is to provide a voting machine housing made up of a number of. panels latched accessible through a singledoor which is normally heldin,

locked position by means of a lockoperated by. a key 7 tained by one of the precinct ofiicials.

3,133,699 Patented May 19, 1964 retained by an election custodian so that thedoor cannot be opened by a precinct oflicial. I

The invention has for another object the provision of a voting machine housing having a power panel compartmeritv for detachably receiving acable plug connecting the machine to a remote voter classification unit, the compartment being provided with a power compartment door which may be locked or unlocked by means of a key The invention has for a further object the provision of a voting machine housing of the character described above and including hinged counter panel doors for gaining access tothe counter panel at the completion of the elecv tion, these doors being held in closed position by means including a pair of locks both of which must be unlocked before the doors can be opened and the keys for the two;

locks being respectively retained by two different precinct ofiicials so that both oificials must cooperate to uncover the counter panel;

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a voting machine housing of the type previously described employing new and improved means for locking the counter panel doors while, at the same time, economizing upon the space employed. V

The foregoing and other objects are realized, in accordance with the present invention, by providing a voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a pair of vertically extending, hinged rear doors thereon each movable to an open position to gain access to the counter are unlocked. One of the counter panel doors carries amember in engagement with said bolt and normally ex tending outwardly from the door to engage the frame in order to lock the door in closed position and the other counter panel door includes a lip underlying the first door so that both doors are retained in closed position when the first door is locked. The locking member is retracted by gravity when the bolt is retracted, thus releasing both of the counter panel doors for opening so that the election ofiicialsmay read and'record the indications on the counters,

An access door at one side of the housing carries a key operated lock which may be unlocked to permit access,

to the interior of the housing, the key for this lock being retained by an election custodian so that the precinct oflicials. cannot open the side door during the course of the election. A cover panel on the front of the housing is normally held in closed position by a manually operated latch accessible; through the side access door and a front panel on the housing is normally held by the coverpanel in cooperation with another manually operated latch ac-, cessible through the side access door, whereby both the cover panel-and the front panel may be removed when the two latches are released. Y

x A pair ofspaced, apart manually operated latches on the frame engage the rear. panel to normally hold the the housing and being accessible through the side access door so that the top panel may be removed when the last mentioned latch is released. Thus, the rear panel, the cover panel, the front panel and the top panel may be removed by manipulation of the various latches to expose the working parts of the machine for maintenance or repair and/ or for purposes of programming the machine.

A power panel door is provided on the side of the housing opposite to the side access door and this door carries a lock operated by means of a key which also fits one of the counter panel door locks so that one of the precinct oflicials may open the power panel door.

The invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking at the front of a voting machine housing characterized by the features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking at the rear of the voting machine housing shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view partly broken away and corresponding to line 3-3 in FIG. 1 and shows particularly the locks for the rear doors;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to line 4-4 in FIG. 3 assuming that the latter shows the entire housing construction;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view illustrating the latch for the switch cover and taken along a line corresponding substantially to line 55 in FIG. 4, assuming again that the latter shows the entire housing construction;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the latch for the front panel and taken along a line corresponding substantially to line 66 in FIG. 4, assuming again that the latter shows the entire housing construction;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along a line substantially corresponding to line 77 in FIG. 1 and shows one corner of the top cover of the housing, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the interior of the voting machine housing illustrated in FIG. 1 after the top cover, the switch cover and the front panel have been removed.

Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a housing generally identified by the reference numeral 20 and characterized by the features of the present invention. This housing is especially well suited for use with voting machines of the type disclosed and claimed in simultaneously filed copending application Serial No. 120,281 of Edward J. Crossland et al. which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and to which reference may be made for an understanding of the operation of the components enclosed by the housing 20. The latter housing comprises a main frame indicated in FIG. 8 by the reference numeral 19 together with a number of panels and doors uniquely interlocked and latched together and to the frame in a manner described more fully below and forming a vertically extending voting panel section 21 having a front voting panel 22 thereon containing sliding selectors or voting keys (not shown) by means of which the voter makes his selections in the manner described in detail in the copending Hull et a1. application referred to above. The panels also form a lower power supply section 23 extending forwardly from the voting panel section 21 and forming a relatively low shelf 24 below the front voting panel 22. As is shown in FIG. 2, the power supply section 23 includes a partition 25 forming a closed access chamber 26 at the lower corner of the housing and access to this chamber may be had by the precinct oficials through a hinged side door 27 which may be locked by means of a key operated lock 28. The latter lock is of conventional construction and may be operated by a key retained by one of the precinct oilicials. The partition 25 carries a socket (not shown) having electrical terminals therein adapted to mate with a plug (not shown) carried by an electrical cable connected to a remote voter classification unit as is described and claimed in copending application Serial No. 120,214 of Robert McCaskill filed simultaneously herewith and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. When the voting machine is to be used in a special election such as a primary election where different classes of voters are eligible to vote only on issues falling within their classification, the side door 27 is unlocked and the electrical connection described above is made to the remote voter classification unit. The partition 25 seals the chamber 26 so that neither the precinct ofiicials nor the voters can obtain access to any of the working parts of the voting machine except the socket referred to above.

As is described in the above-identified Hull et al. application, the voting machine also includes a vertical counter panel (not shown) within the housing 2t) extending parallel to the front voting panel 22 and carrying a plurality of counters for respectively registering the votes cast for the different candidates or issues. While the election is in progress, this counter panel is covered by a pair of hinged doors 3t) and 31 located at the rear of the voting machine as is shown in FIG. 2. The latter doors are adapted to be locked by a pair of key operated locks 32 and 33 of conventional construction carried by a lower rear panel 34 which may be removed in a manner described more fully below. The keys for the locks 32 and 33 are respectively retained by two different precinct ofiicials and each of the latter keys is also effective to operate the lock 28 referred to above. The doors 3t and 31 cannot be opened unless both of the locks 32 and 33 are unlocked and, as a result, neither precinct ofiicial can open the rear doors without the cooperation of the other ofiicial, during the course of the election to read the counters in order to learn how the election is progressing. However, after the polls have closed, the doors 30 and 31 may be opened to permit reading of the counters if both of the precinct officials use their respective keys to unlock the locks 32 and 33. To this end, the locks 32 and 33 are respectively effective to turn arms 35 and 36 projecting transversely therefrom as is best shown in FIG. 3 where the doors 30 and 31 are shown in their closed and locked positions. When the locks 32 and 33 are locked, both of the arms 35 and 36 engage a locking mechanism 37 for one of the rear doors, for example, the door 31. This locking mechanism comprises an elongated door bolt 38 mounted for vertical sliding movement upon the door 31 by means of a pair of U-shaped guide brackets 39 and 40 affixed to the inside of the door near its upper and lower edges, respectively. An integral leg 41 depending outwardly from the bracket 4h has an aperture therein for receiving one end of a coiled spring 42 having its other end inserted into an opening in the bolt 38, thus providing a spring force normally urging the bolt 38 downwardly. The lower end of the bolt rests freely upon the upper end of a plunger 43 having an outwardly extend ing foot 44 thereon engaged by the arms 35 and 36 when the locks 32 and 33 are locked. The plunger 43 is mounted for sliding movement vertically of the rear panel 34, plunger 43 being guided by a pair of brackets 4-5 and 46 affixed to the inside of the panel 34. The operation of the locks 32 and 33 is effective to move the plunger 43 between a retracted position where it is withdrawn into the panel 34 and an extended position shown in FIG. 3 where its upper end protrudes through aligned openings 34:: and 31a respectively formed in a top inturned lip of the rear panel 34 and in a lower inturned lip of the door 31. Thus, when either of the locks 32 or 33 is locked the arms 35 or 36 of this lock engages the foot 44 to hold the plunger in the extended position to lock the lower edge of the door 31. At the same time, the bolt 38 is raised or extended tolock the upper edge of the door 31 by projecting the upper end 38a of the bolt through aligned openings 31b and 47a respectively formed in an inturned upper lip of the door 31 and in an inturned lip on a removable top cover panel 47 which panel may form a part of the main frame when secured in position on the side members of the frame. The upward movement or extension of the bolt 38 is limited by engagement of a fixed stop block 43;

I with the under edge of the bracket 39; The door 3t) is provided with a lip 30a which extends beneath the side edge of the door 31 when both doors are closed so that the door 31 must be opened before the door 30 can beswung outwardly from the machine. Thus, when the plungerA-S is extended both ofthe doors 3t) and 31 are locked. When both of the locks 32 and 33 are un locked to turn their arms 35 and 36 180 from theposi- 'tion shown in FIG. 3, the plunger 43 falls by gravity,

until a fixed stop block 49 carried thereby engages the upper edge of the bracket 46 Whereuponthe plunger is retracted and its upper end is withdrawn from the opening 31:: so that the lower edge of the door 31 is released. When the plunger 43 is retracted the elongated bolt 38 also falls by gravity until a fixed stop 50 thereon of the locks32 and 33 are unlocked the door 31 may be opened and this, in turn, permits the door 34) to beswung open. However, if either of the locks remains locked the plunger, 4-3 cannot be retracted and neither door can be opened. Thus, access to the counterpanel lying behind the doors 3t and Slis possible only by the cooperation of both precinct ofiicials. The location of the locks at a position displaced from the doors 3t) and 31 conserves space and permits a reduction in depth of the housing since the locks are located in less crowded portions of the machine Where space is more readily available. I

The main frame 19. includes a base casting 51 joined in any suitable manner to side castings-52 and 53 (FIGS. 3, 4 and'6). Vertical side panels 54 and 55 are fixedly secured to the side castings 52 and 53 in any suitable manner. A rear partition 56 and a front partition 57 are fixedly securedto the basecasting as shown in FIG. 4 to divide the bottom of the voting machine housing into diiferent compartments. The housing 20 is com: pleted by the rear panel 34, and the top cover panel 47 referred to above and by a switch cover panel 58 and a front panel 5% (FIG. 1), all four of which are readily adapted to be disassembled from the main frame 19 in a manner described more fully below; The side casting 52 is provided with an opening 524 for the door 27 While the other side casting 53 is provided with a similar opening 53a which is adapted to be opened or closed by an access door 60. The latter door carries a lock 61 operated by means of a key carried by an election custodian Who is not one of the precinct otiicials. Thus, neither of the keys carried by the precinct oificials will. open the lock 61 and, as a result, the door 60 will remain closed throughout the courseof the election. However,

access to the interior of the machine is necessary for v purposes of programming by following the procedure described in detail in the copending Hull et al. application referred to' above and, in addition, it may be desirable to expose as many of the working parts of the voting machine as possible for purposes of maintenance and repair. For either of these purposes the access door 60 may be opened to permit disassembly of the switch panel 58, the front panel 59, the rear panel 34 and the top panel 47.

6 Considering first the switch cover panel 58 and referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, itshould be observed that this panel extends horizontally across the bottom of the front voting panel 22 of the voting machine, and is adapted to cover a set of switches (not shown) mounted on a shelf 57a formed by an angle bracket secured to. the partition 57. A integral flange 57b on the partition 57 extends over the switches and parallel to the shelf. As is shown in FIG. 4, the panel 58 fits over the flange 57b and beneath an upturned lip on the shelf 57a. and is provided with a tongue 62 (FIG. 5 which fits into a a suitable slot 5% in the side casting 52 to hold the right side of the panel. 1 The left side of the switch cover panel is held by a manually operated latch 63 accessible through the opening 53a when the access door is opened. The latch 63 may .be of any conventional construction but in the 7 form shown it comprises a plunger 64 carried by the panel 58 and having-its outer end exte'ndibleinto slot 53:: in the side casting 53. 'A spring 65 acting between a collar 67 on theplunger and a bracket 66 afiixed to the panel 58 normally urges the plunger 64 to its extended position where its outer end is seated within the slot 530 in order to lock the left side of the panel 58 to the frame 19, the

extension. of the plunger 64 being limited by engagement of the collar 67 with the'side 58a of the panel. .An operating handle 68 at the end ofthe plunger extends downwardiy through a cutaway portion 570 (FIG 8) of the shelf 57a so that the lower end 63a (FlG.g4) of this handle can be'reached through the opening 53a. Thus, to remove :the switch cover panel 58 the handle 68 is pushed to the right as viewed in FIG. 5 until the plunger 64 is withdrawn from the slot 530 whereuponthe left end of the panel 58 is pulled forwardly of the voting machine and is then moved towards the left to disengagethe tongue 62 from the slot 5%. g I

The front panel 59 is held panel 58 to prevent withdrawal of the front panel unless the panel 58 has first been removed. The front panel rests within suitable recessesv in the side castings 52 and 53and its lower end is normally held by the latch 70.

- As shown in FIG. 6, this latch comprises acamming bar elongated locking bar 77 secured along the interior" of the front panel 59. Each of the channels 76 includes an F integral laterally depending finger 76a adapted to underlie the leg 720 when the bar 72. is in its normal or latchedposition, thus locking the front panel 59 to the base casting 51* at several horizontally spaced points to prevent removal of the panel. The front panelmaybe disassembled from the frame by reaching through the opening 53a and pulling an operating tab '78 in order to draw the camming bar 72 to the right as viewed in FIG. 6,thus moving the leg 72c to a position where it no longer engages the fingers is reassembled the bar 72 is moved to the'unlatched posi tion by again pulling on the tab 78 whereupon the locking channels may be inserted into the cutaway portions and v the tab 78 released. The spring 73then draws the bar 72 to its latched position at which time upwardly bent: guide 79 onthe leg'72c guide the fingers 76a into position beneath the leg. 7 i

The rear panel 34 is normallyheld in position on the both by the switch cover panel 58 and by a manually operated latch 70. More frame 19 by means of two identical manually operated latches 89 and 81 mounted in spaced apart positions on the frame and best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. These latches cannot be reached through the door 60 but their operating mechanisms become exposed when the switch cover panel 58 and the front panel are both removed from the frame. Each latch includes an elongated bar 82 having a hooked end 82a for engaging a U-shaped bracket 83 carried on the interior of the rear panel 34. The bar 82 carries a pin 84- mounted for pivotal movement upon the rear partition 56, the pin being supported by a bracket 85 secured to the partition. The bar 82 extends through a slot 56a in the rear partition and through another slot 57d formed in thefront partition and terminates in a handle portion 86. A spring 87 having one end extending through an aperture in the rear partition 56 and having its other end connected to the bar 82 normally urges the bar to pivot about the pin 84 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 to engage the hooked end 82a in the bracket 83, thus locking the rear panel 34 to the frame 19. To disassemble the rear panel after both the switch cover panel 58 and the front panel 59 have been removed, the handles 86 of both latches 80 and 81 are depressed thus pivoting the bars 82 about the pins 84 in a counterclockwise direction to stress the springs 97 and to disengage the hooks 82a from the brackets 83.

The top panel 47 may be removed from the frame 19 by releasing a manually operated latch indicated generally by the reference numeral 99 and best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings; The right end of the top cover panel 47 as viewed in FIG. 1 is interlocked with the frame in any suitable manner as, for example, by means of a bracket 91 carried by the panel 47 and engaging an L- shaped member 92 secured to the side panel 54. The bracket 91 includes an inturned flange 91a extending beneath the member 92 to lock the end of the top cover panel. The latch 99 comprises a lever 93 mounted for pivotal movement about a pin 94 secured to the side panel 55 and having a hooked end 93a adapted to overlie an L-shaped bracket 95 afiixed to the top cover panel 47. A spring 96 having one end secured to the lever 93 and the other end attached to a fixed post 97 on the side panel 55 urges the lever to pivot about the pin 94 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 so that the top cover panel is normally engaged by the hooked end of the lever to lock this panel to the frame. An elongated operating rod 98 for the lever 93 extends downwardly along the side of the housing and adjacent the side panel 55 to terminate in a pull ring 99 which is accessible through the opening 53a when the door 60 is opened. The rod 98 is pivotally secured at its upper end to the lever 93 and extends through a guide 199 aflixed to the frame. As is best shown in FIG. the side casting 53 is provided with a recess 53b to provide a space adjacent the left side of the partition 57 (as viewed in FIG. 8) and it is through this space that the pull ring 99 can be reached when the door 69 is open. When the ring 99 is pulled downwardly the lever 93 is obviously pivoted about the pin 94 in a counterclockwise direction to stretch the spring 96 and to disengage the hooked end 93a from the bracket 95 so that the left side of the top cover panel 47 (as viewed in FIG. 1) may be lifted whereupon the panel may be moved towards the left side to disengage the bracket 91 from the member 92. Thus it will be observed that the three panels 4-7, 58 and 59 may be removed by releasing latches 90, 63 and 79 all of which are accessible when the door 69 is opened. The rear panel 34 may then be removed by releasing the latches 89 and 81.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that many modifications will readily occur to those skilled in this art and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A voting machine housing comprising a top panel and a main frame having a pair of vertically extending, hinged rear doors thereon each movable to an open position to gain access to the rear of the housing, a rear panel secured to said main frame below said hinged doors and carrying first and second key operated locks respectively operated by means of keys respectively carried by two different election officials, a vertical plunger on said panel extending upwardly beyond the panel when at least one of said first and second locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when both of said first and second locks are unlocked, one of said doors carrying structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said one door to engage said top panel for locking said one door in closed position and the other door including means engaging said one door to hold said other door in closed position when said one door is closed, said structure being retracted into said one door by gravity when said plunger is retracted, thus releasing both of said doors for opening, first and second spaced apart manually operated latches on said frame engaging said rear panel to hold the latter in position, an access door at one side of said housing having a third key operated lock thereon for permitting access to one side of the housing, a cover panel on the front of-said housing normally held in closed position by a third manually operated latch accessible through the side access door, a front panel on said housing norrnally held by said cover panel and by a fourth manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said cover panel and said front panel being removable when said third and fourth latches are released, operating means for said first and second latches disposed within said housing beneath said front panel and accessible only when the cover panel and the front panel are removed, said rear panel being removable when said first and second latches are released, said top panel normally held in position on said frame by means including a fifth latch located near the top of said frame above said side access door, operating means for said fifth latch extending downwardly along the side of said frame within said housing and accessible through the side access door, said top panel being removable when the fifth latch is released, and a power panel door on the side of said housing opposite to said side access door, said power panel door carrying a fourth lock operated by means of a key which also fits one of said first or second locks, whereby one of the election oificials can open the power panel door, said third lock being operated by means of a key different from the keys for operating the other three looks so that the election ofiicials cannot remove any of the panels even though they may gain access to the rear of the machine by unlocking both of said first and second locks.

2. A voting machine housing comprising a top panel, a main frame having a rear door thereon movable to an open position to gain access to the rear of the housing, a rear panel secured to said main frame below said door and carrying first and second key operated locks respectively operated by means of keys respectively carried by two different election ofiicials, a vertical plunger on said panel extending upwardly beyond the panel when at least one of said first and second locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when both of said first and second locks are unlocked, said door carrying structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said door to engage said top panel for lock ing said door in closed position, said structure being retracted by gravity when said plunger is retracted, thus releasing said door for opening, first and second spaced apart manually operated latches on said frame engaging said rear panel to hold the latter in position, an access door at one side of said housing, means including a third key operated lock for selectively locking and unlocking said access door to access to one side of the housing, a

cover panel on the front of said housing normally held v in closed position by a third manually operated latch accessible through the side access door, a front panel on said housing normally held by said cover panel and by a fourth manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said cover panel and said front panel being removable when said third and, fourth latches are released, operating means for said first and second latches disposed Within said housing beneath said front panel and accessible only when thecover panel'and the front panel are removed, said rear panel being removable when said first and second latches are released, said top panel normally held in position on saidframe by means including a fifth latch located near the top of said frame,

above said side access door, operating means for said fifth latch extending downwardly along the side of said framewithin said housing and accessible through the side access door, said top panel being removable when the fifth latch is released, and a power panel door on the side of said housing opposite tosaid side access door, said power paneldoor carrying a fourth lock operated by means of a key which also fits one of said first or second locks, whereby one of the election officials can open the tion to gain access to the rear of the housing, a rear panel secured to said main frame below said hinged doors and carrying first and secondkey operated locks respectively operated by means of keys respectively carried by two dilferent election officials, a vertical plunger on said panel extending upwardly beyond the panel when at least one of ,said first and; second locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when both of said first and second locks are unlocked, one of said doors carrying structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said one door tojengage said top panel I for locking said onedoor in closed position and the other door including means engaging said one door to hold said other door in closed position whensaid one door is closed, said structure being retracted into said one door by gravity when said plunger is retracted, thus releasingboth of said doors for opening, first and second spaced apart manually operated latches on said frame engaging said rear panel to hold the latter in position, an access door at one side of said housing, a third'key operated lock for locking and unlocking said access door to permit access toone side of the housing, a front panel on said housing normally held by a third manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said front panel being removable when said third latch is released, operating means for said first and second latches disposed Within said housing beneath said front panel and accessible only when the front panel is removed, said rear panel being removable when said first and second latches are released, said top panel normally held in position on said frame by means including a fourth latch located near the top of said framefabove said side access door, operating means for said fourth latch extending downwardly along the'side of said frame within said housing and accessible through the side access door,-said top panel being removable when the fourth latch is released, and a power panel door on the side of said housing opposite to said side access door, said power ipanel door being selectively locked and unlocked by'means including a fourth lock operated by means of a key which also fits one of said first or second locks, where'by one of the election oflicials can open thepower panel door, said third lock being operated by meansof a key different from the keys for operating the other three locks so that the election ofiicials cannot remove any of the panels even though they may gain access to the rear of the machine by unlocking both of said first and second locks.

4. A voting machine housing comprising a top panel, a main framehaving a rear door thereon movable to an open position to gain accessto the rear of the housing, a rear panel secured to saidmain framebelow said door and carrying first and second key operated locks respectively operated by means of keys respectively carried by two dilferent election officials, a vertical plunger on said panel extending upwardly beyond the panel when at least one of said first and second locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when both of said first and second locks are unlocked, said door carrying structure engaging said plungerand normally extending outwardly from said doorto engage said top'panel for locking said door in closed position, said structure being retracted by gravity'when said plunger is retracted thus releasing said door for opening, manually operated ,latch means on said access doorto permit access to one side of the housing-, a front panel on said housing normally held by a first manually operated latchaccessible through said side access door,'said front panel being removable when said first latch is released, operating means for said latch means disposed within said housing beneath said front panel and accessible only when the front panel is removed, said rear panel being removable when said latch means 18 released, said top panel normally held in position on,

said frame by means including a second latch located near t re top of said frame above said sideaccess door, operat- I ing means for said second latch extending downwardly along the side of said frame within said housing and accessible through the side access door, said top panel being removable whenthe second latch is released, and a power panel door on the side of said housing opposite to said side access door, said power panel door being selectively locked and unlocked by means including'a fourth lock operated by means of a'key which also fits one of said first or second locks, whereby one of the election ofiici'als can open the power panel door, said third lock being operated by means of a key different from the keys for operating the other three locks so thatthe election officials cannot remove any of the panels even though r they may gain access to the rear of the thereon'each movable to aniopen position to gain access a to the rear of the housing, a rear panel secured to said main frame below said hinged doors and carrying first and second key operatedlocks operated by means of keys respectively carried by two different election oflicials, a vertical plunger on said panel normally extending upwardly beyond the panel when at least one of said locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when both of said locks are unlocked, one of said doors carry ing structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said one door to engage said frame for locking said one door in closed position andthe other door including means engaging said one door to hold said other door in closed position when said one door is closed, said structure being retracted by gravity when said plunger is retracted, thus releasing said doors for opening, and a power panel door on one side of said housing, sai power panel door carrying a third lock'operated by means of one'of the keys, whereby one of the election, I

' oflicials can open the power panel door during the progcured to said main frame below said door and carrying first and second key operated locks operated by means of keys respectively carried by two different election ofiicials, a vertical plunger on said panel normally extending upwardly beyond the panel when at least one of said locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when both of said locks are unlocked, said door carrying structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said door to engage said frame for locking said door in closed position, said structure being retracted by gravity when said plunger is retracted in order to release said door for opening, and a power panel door on one side of said housing, and means including a third lock for locking and unlocking said power panel door, said third lock being operated by means of one of the keys, whereby one of the election officials can open the power panel door during the progress of an election.

7. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a pair of vertically extending, hinged rear doors thereon each movable to an open position to gain access to the rear of the housing, first and second key operated locks carried by said frame below said doors and operated by means of keys respectively carried by two different election officials, a vertical plunger normally extending upwardly from said locks into one of said doors when at least one of said locks is locked, said plunger being retractable out of said one door only when both of said locks are unlocked, said one door carrying structure engaging said bolt and normally extending outwardly from said one door to engage said frame for locking said one door in closed position and the other door including means engaging said one door to hold said other door in closed position when said one door is closed, said structure being retracted by gravity when said plunger is retracted, thus releasing said doors for opening, and a power panel door on one side of said housing, said power panel door carrying a third lock for locking and unlocking said power panel door, said third lock being operated by means of one of the keys, whereby one of the election oflicials can open the power panel door during the progress of an election.

8. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a door thereon movable to an open position to gain access to the interior of the housing, first and second key operated locks carried by said frame below said door and operated by means of keys respectively carried by two different election officials, a vertical plunger normally extending upwardly from said locks into said door when at least one of said locks is locked and said bolt being retractable out of said door only when both of said locks are unlocked, said door carrying structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said door to engage said frame for locking said door in closed position, said structure member being retracted when said plunger is retracted in order to release said door for opening, and a power panel door on one side of said housing, said power panel door carrying a third lock for locking and unlocking said power panel door, said third lock being operated by means of one of the keys, whereby one of the election ofiicials can open the power panel door during the progress of an election.

9. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a rear panel secured thereto, first and second spaced apart manually operated latches on said frame engaging said rear panel to hold the latter in position, an access door at one side of said housing for permitting access to the side of the housing, a cover panel on the front of said housing normally held in closed position by a third manually operated latch accessible through the side access door, a front panel on said housing normally held by said cover panel and by a fourth manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said cover panel and said front panel being removable when said third and fourth latches are released, operating means for said first and second latches disposed within said housing beneath said front panel and accessible only when the cover panel and the front panel are removed, said rear panel being removable when said first and second latches are released, said housing including a top panel normally held in position on said frame by means including a fifth latch located near the top of said frame above said side access door, operating means for said fifth latch extending downwardly along the side of said frame within said housing and accessible through the side access door, said top panel being removable when the fifth latch is released.

10. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a rear panel secured thereto, first and second spaced apart manually operated latches on said frame engaging said rear panel to hold the latter in position, an access door at one side of said housing for permitting access to the side of the housing, a front panel on said housing normally held by a third manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said front panel being removable when said third latch is released, operating means for said first and second latches disposed within said housing beneath said front panel and accessible only when the front panel is removed, said rear panel being removable when said first and second latches are released, said housing including a top panel normally held in position on said frame by means including a fourth latch located near the top of said frame above said side access door, operating means for said fourth latch extending downwardly along the side of said frame within said housing and accessible through the side access door, said top panel being removable when the fourth latch is released.

311. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame, an access door at one side of said housing for permitting access -to the side of the housing, a cover panel on the front of said housing normally held in closed position by a first manually operated latch accessible through the side access door, a front panel on said housing norrnally held by said cover panel and by a second manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said cover panel and said front panel being removable when said first and second latches are released, said housing including a top panel normally held in position on said frame by means including a third latch located near the top of said frame above said side access door, operating means for said third latch extending downwardly along the side of said frame within said housing and accessible through the side access door, said top panel being removable when the third latch is released.

12. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a rear panel secured thereto, first and second spaced apart manually operated latches on said frame engaging said rear panel to hold the latter in position, an access door at one side of said housing for permitting access to the side of the housing, a cover panel on the front of said housing normally held in closed position by a third manually operated latch accessible through the side access door, a front panel on said housing normally held by said cover panel and by a fourth manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said cover panel and said front panel being removable when said third and fourth latches are released, operating means for said first and second latches disposed within said housing beneath said front panel and accessible only when the cover panel and the front panel are removed, said rear panel being removable when said first and second latches are released.

13. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame, an access door at one side of said housing for permitting access to the side of the housing, a front panel on said housing normally held by a first manually operated latch accessible through said side access door, said front panel being removable when said first latch is released, said housing including a top panel normally held in position on said frame by means including a second latch located nearthe top of said frame above saidside access door, operating means for said second latch extend- I ing downwardly along ithe side of said frame within said housing and accessible through the side access door, said 7 top panel being removable when the second latch is released. s p

14. A voting machine housing made up ofa main frame having a pairof side members and a plurality of removable panels secured between said side member, a

' plurality of manually operated latch means carried by V said frame within said housing or holding said panels in position, and an access door in said housing, said door being substantially smaller than said panels and having a latch thereon operable from the exterior of said housing,

said latch meansbeing disposed on said frame adjacent the interior of said door sow-that said panels may be re leased for removal from said side members by manual operation of said latch means through the access door.

15. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a pair of vertically extending, hinged rear doors thereon each movable to an open position to gain access 'to the rear of the housing, first and second key operated locks carried by said main frame below said hinged doors, a vertical plunger normally extending upwardly from said locks and into one of said'doors when at least one of said locks is locked, said plunger retractable out of said one door only when both of said locks are unlocked, said one door carrying structure cngag'ing'said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said one door to engage said frame for locking said one door in closed position and the other door including means engaging said one door to hold said other door in closed position ture engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said door to engage said frame fofloeking thereon each movable to an openposition to gain access to the rear of the housing, a-rear panelsecured tosaid main frame below said hinged doors and carrying first and second key operated locirs, a vertical plungeron said panel normally extending upwardly beyond the panel when atleast one of said locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when both of said locks U are unlocked, one of said doors carrying structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said one door to engagesaid frame'for locking said one door'in closed position and the other door including means engaging saidonedoor to hold said other door in closed position when said one door, is clo-sed,'said struc- 19. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a 'door thereon movable to an open position to carried by saidframe belowsaid door, a plunger normally'extending upwardly into said door when the lock means is locked and being retractable out of the door .ture being retracted by gravity when said plunger is re- T tracted, thus releasing said doors for opening.

- gain access to the interior of the housing, lock means.

when the'loc'k means is unlockedsaid doors carrying structure engaging said plunger and normally extending outwardly from said door to engage said frame for lock;

; ing said door in closed position,said structure being re when said one door is closed, said structure being rereleasing said doorsifor opening.

.tracted by gravity when said plunger is retracted, thus 16. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame tracted when said. plunger is retracted in order to release.

'said'door forop'ening. I

having a rear doorthereon movable to an open position I to gain access to the rear of the housing, first and second a vertical plunger normally extending upwardly from said only when both of said locks are unlocked, said doorcarrying structure engaging said plunger and normallyextending outwardlyffrom said: door to engage said frame for: locking said door in closed position, said structure being retracted by gravity when said plunger is retracted;

thus releasing said door for opening. 17. A voting machine housing comprising a main frame having a vertically extending rear door'thereon movable key operated locks carried by said frame below said door, i

I locks and into said door when at least one of said locks is locked, said plunger being retractable out of said door to an open position to gain access to the rear of the housing, a'rear panel secured to said main frame below said door and carrying .firstand secondfkey operatedjlocks, a'

vertical plunger on said panel normally extending upwardly beyond the panel when at least oneof said locks is locked and being retractable into said panel only when" both of said locks are unlocked, said door'carryin'g struc- 20. voting machine housingcomprisinga frame having at least one hinged door thereon manually movable between a closed position and an open position togain access to said housing, first and second key operated.

said frame normally engaging and locking said door when locks secured tofsaid frame, plunger means carried by said door is in a closed position and when said locks are locked andibeing disengaged from said door only when at least one of said locks is unlocked, bolt means carried on said door "and engageable with said plunger and said frame for locking said door to said frame when said door is in a closed position, and means, including a springfor disengagingsaidbolt means from said frame when both of said locks are unlocked, thereby releasing said door to permitit to beopened to gain access to said housing.

: References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 439,797. B lair Oct. 21, 1890 1,499,085 Trah' June 24, 1924 2,274,106 Strongfe't al 'Feb.24, 1942 2,757,060 

13. A VOTING MACHINE HOUSING COMPRISING A MAIN FRAME, AN ACCESS DOOR AT ONE SIDE OF SAID HOUSING FOR PERMITTING ACCESS TO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSING, A FRONT PANEL ON SAID HOUSING NORMALLY HELD BY A FIRST MANUALLY OPERATED LATCH ACCESSIBLE THROUGH SAID SIDE ACCESS DOOR, SAID FRONT PANEL BEING REMOVABLE WHEN SAID FIRST LATCH IS RELEASED, SAID HOUSING INCLUDING A TOP PANEL NORMALLY HELD IN POSITION ON SAID FRAME BY MEANS INCLUDING A SECOND LATCH LOCATED NEAR THE TOP OF SAID FRAME ABOVE SAID SIDE ACCESS DOOR, OPERATING MEANS FOR SAID SECOND LATCH EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY ALONG THE SIDE OF SAID FRAME WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND ACCESSIBLE THROUGH THE SIDE ACCESS DOOR, SAID TOP PANEL BEING REMOVABLE WHEN THE SECOND LATCH IS RELEASED. 